Hydrofoil to board attachment device

ABSTRACT

The present invention discloses a pair of devices that allows a user to attach a watersports hydrofoil to a watersports board. The devices feature a retention pin on one end and a locking mechanism on the other. The devices screw onto the mating surface of hydrofoil mounting plate parallel to each other and in the orientation where the locking mechanism is in the front. Once attached to the hydrofoil the devices allow for the hydrofoil to be mounted to the board in any location along the length of the two parallel tracks in the bottom surface of the board, permitted the devices fit, without the use of tools. The devices also allow for the hydrofoil to be dismounted from the board without the use of tools. The devices allow the hydrofoil to fold backwards, towards the tail of the board, if the hydrofoil hits an object with enough force, in order to minimize damage to the hydrofoil and the object being hit.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to hydrofoils pertaining to usage in watersports such as surfing, stand up paddle boarding, kiteboarding, windsurfing, downwind riding, wakeboarding, etc. More specifically the invention relates to hydrofoils with a mounting plate. The invention relates to hydrofoil boards that have the parallel track boxes spaced 9 cm apart from center of one box to center of the other box.

BACKGROUND

Recently the development of hydrofoils mounted on watercraft for watersport's use has become more popular. Such hydrofoils typically consist of a front wing that provides lift, a back wing that helps to stabilize the hydrofoil, a fuselage that connects the front and back wings, and a mast that is joined to the fuselage at a right angle or close to a right angle. The mast is connected to the rider's board by a mounting plate with four holes at the corners of the mounting plate through which four screws go into the board. All of the main parts of the hydrofoil just described generally can be taken apart from each other.

When the hydrofoil moves through the water it generates lift. If the speed at which the hydrofoil moves through the water is great enough, it can lift both the board and the rider out of the water. Because the bottom surface of the board is not interacting with the surface of the water, there is much less drag and the rider does not experience the surface chop.

A disadvantage of current hydrofoils is that they have to be put together before they can be used, and this takes time. The part of assembling the hydrofoil that takes the longest amount of time on average is attaching it to the board. To attach the hydrofoil to the board there are four T-nuts in two parallel tracks in the board. The nuts can slide in the tracks. It can be difficult to align the four T-nuts with the holes in the mounting plate of the hydrofoil such that the screws can go through the mounting plate and into the T-nut. This procedure is typically done before each session as it is difficult to fit the hydrofoil attached to the board inside of most cars.

Another disadvantage of current hydrofoils is that they are more dangerous for the rider and other individuals in the water than a traditional surfboard. In order to make the hydrofoil safer, it would be beneficial to have some safety features included. One such safety feature would be a device that would allow the hydrofoil to fold towards the tail of the board if it were to hit an object with a certain amount of force. This could lessen the threat of major injury to individuals who are hit with the hydrofoil. When the foil folds backwards toward the tail of the board it would also bring the hydrofoil into a position that would induce a lot of drag. This is would bring the hydrofoil to an almost instant stop.

Therefore a need exists for a hydrofoil that can be assembled and mounted to the board easier. This would save time and frustration to the owner of the hydrofoil. A need also exists for a hydrofoil with a safety feature that allows the hydrofoil to fold backwards toward the tail of the board if it hits an object with a certain amount of force.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is comprised of a device to attach the hydrofoil to the water sports board. The device also functions as a safety feature that allows the hydrofoil to fold backwards toward the tail of the board if the wings of the hydrofoil it an object with enough force. The device would use the standard parallel tracks that most hydrofoils boards have. The device would replace the T-nut and screw system with a system that snaps into the tracks in the bottom of the board in order to secure the hydrofoil to the board.

The present invention is of a pair of parallel devices that snap into the parallel tracks in the board. The devices can be affixed to the hydrofoil by screws. Once attached to the hydrofoil the devices permit the hydrofoil to be attached and detached from the board without the use of tools.

The devices are comprised of a locking mechanism on one end that allows the devices to snap into a groove in the tracks in the board. The locking mechanism is comprised of a cylinder and a rod. The cylinder has a hole in the middle of it and the rod goes through it. The rod can deform when sufficient force is applied to the cylinder. The cylinder and rod fit into the device from the side. There is a cutout in the side of the device to accommodate the locking mechanism. Additional room in the cutout is provided for the locking mechanism so that it can still fit inside the device when the rod is deformed. The cylinder protrudes out to one side of the device such that the width of device with the incorporated locking mechanism is greater than the width of the track in the hydrofoil board. When force is applied downward the rod deforms and allows the cylinder to be pushed inward. The device can now travel into the bottom of the track.

The track is “T” shaped. The bottom of the track has symmetrical grooves that are designed to accommodate the T-nuts. When the device is inserted fully into the track, the locking mechanism can expand into the grooves in the bottom of the track. This serves to lock the device into the track. If sufficient force is applied to the device in the direction opposite to which it took to insert the device into the track, then the device can be taken out of the track.

The location of the locking mechanism on the device is to be towards the front end. On the opposite end of the device is a pin that comes through the sides of device. The pin fits in the grooves in the bottom of the track. The pin serves as a pivot mechanism that allows torque to be applied to the locking mechanism to insert the device into and out of the track.

There is a small groove in the middle of the track that descends vertically to the groove at the bottom of the track. The pin can be inserted through the middle groove and into the bottom groove. Once in the bottom groove, the device can slide forward and backward in the track. When the locking mechanism is also snapped into the groove, the pressure between the cylinder and the outside wall of the track creates enough friction to prevent the device from sliding in the track.

The device is designed so that the locking mechanism should be closer to the front wing of the hydrofoil than the pin. Two devices are needed to properly attach the hydrofoil to the board. This is done by attaching the devices to the top of the hydrofoil's mounting plate with four screws. The screws go through the mounting plate and into threaded holes in the devices. The board is to be laid upside down so that the tracks in the bottom of the board are accessible. The pins on the devices are inserted in the middle grooves in the tracks until they reach to deeper groove in to bottom of the track that runs along the length of the track. The pins can slide along this groove until the user is satisfied with the placement of the hydrofoil. Torque is then applied to the hydrofoil until the locking mechanism snaps into the bottom groove in the track.

The device allows the hydrofoil to be taken in and out of the tracks without a tool. The device also allows the hydrofoil to be moved both forward and backward in the track without a tool. This is an important feature because the position of the hydrofoil on the board has a huge effect on the performance of the hydrofoil. In order to move the hydrofoil without taking the hydrofoil off of the board, the user would apply torque to the hydrofoil until the locking mechanism snaps free from the bottom groove in the track. The user would then slide the hydrofoil forward or backward in the track and then snap the locking mechanism back into the bottom groove in the track.

In the event of hitting an obstacle in the water such as the hydrofoil hitting the rider, an individual in the water, large sea life or the bottom of the ocean floor, the device is designed to allow the hydrofoil to fold backwards towards the tail of the board. This should minimize damage to the both the hydrofoil and whatever the hydrofoil hits. When the foil folds backwards the wings are no longer in a streamlined position and this should create large amounts of drag. The drag should slow the hydrofoil and the board very quickly, which would further help to minimize damage to both the hydrofoil and the whatever the hydrofoil hits. The drag could also help the board and hydrofoil from drifting away.

BRIEF DISCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

1. Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an example but are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references may indicate similar elements and in which:

2. FIG. 1-FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a conventional hydrofoil for watersports.

3. FIG. 2-FIG. 2 depicts a side profile of a watersports hydrofoil mounted to a surfboard.

4. FIG. 3-FIG. 3 depicts a bottom profile view of surfboard with the track boxes that are used to mount the hydrofoil.

5. FIG. 4-FIG. 4 depicts a cross-section of the inside of one of the track boxes in the board.

6. FIG. 5-FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of the invention.

7. FIG. 6-FIG. 6 depicts a profile view of the invention with the locking mechanism removed.

8. FIG. 7-FIG. 7 depicts a cross-section view of the inside of one of the track boxes in the board accommodating the invention.

9. FIG. 8-FIG. 8 depicts a perspective view of the mast and mounting plate of the hydrofoil with the invention affixed to it.

10. FIG. 9-FIG. 9 depicts another perspective view of the mast and mounting plate of the hydrofoil with the invention affixed to it.

11. FIG. 10-FIG. 10 depicts a side profile view of the hydrofoil partially attached to the board with the invention.

DETAILED DISCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated by the figures below.

The present invention will now be described by referencing the appended figures representing preferred embodiments.

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a conventional hydrofoil for watersports. The hydrofoil is pictured by itself and would need to be attached to a board in order to be used. The part that would be connected to the board is mounting plate 15. In the top of mounting plate 15 there are 4 holes through which screws pass through and screw into T-nuts in the bottom of the board. The hole spacing is standardized between all hydrofoil manufacturers. The spacing between the holes in the axis about the hydrofoil's line of symmetry is 9 cm from center to center. The spacing between the holes in the other axis is either 16.5 cm or 14 cm from center to center.

Coming down off of mounting plate 15 is mast 14. These pieces can be separate pieces or they may be one molded piece. When the user is successfully riding the hydrofoil the waterline is typically near the middle of the mast. The bottom of the mast, fuselage 13, front wing 11 and tail wing 12 typically stay in the water while the hydrofoil is being ridden.

Front wing 11 leads when the hydrofoil is traveling forward through the water. When the hydrofoil is moving sufficiently fast enough through the water front wing 11 will produce enough lift to elevate the rider and the board above the water. Fuselage 13 connects the wings together. Mast 14 meets fuselage 13 at a right angle. Tail wing 12 helps to stabilize the hydrofoil.

FIG. 2 depicts a side profile of a watersports hydrofoil mounted to a surfboard. Top surface 18 is where the rider would stand. Bottom surface 19 has the hydrofoil mounted to it. The hydrofoil is mounted closer to the tail of the board. The tail of the board is denoted with reference number 17. The nose of the board is denoted with the reference number 16.

FIG. 3 depicts a bottom view of a surfboard with the track boxes that are used to mount the hydrofoil. Tracks 20 are identical and are mounted nine centimeters apart from the center of one track to the center of the other track. The tracks run parallel to each other about the axis of symmetry of the board. The nose of the board is the end closest to the top of the figure and is denoted with reference number 16. The tail of the board is the end closest to the bottom of the figure and is denoted with reference number 17. Vertical groove 21 is located in the middle of each of the tracks and allows the user to insert T-nuts into a bottom groove in the tracks. This bottom groove runs horizontal along the length of the tracks and is pictured in FIG. 4 as horizontal groove 22. The T-nuts and fasteners that screw into the T-nuts are not pictured as the present invention replaces these as the method of affixing the hydrofoil to the board.

FIG. 4 depicts a cross-section of the inside of one of the track boxes in the board. Such a cross-section cut could be constructed by cutting the board perpendicular the line of symmetry of the board over the section where the tracks are located. In the figure, the upper horizontal surface is bottom surface 19. Track 20 descends into the board. Towards the bottom of track 20 the track becomes wider. This wider section of the track is horizontal groove 22. Horizontal groove 22 is named such because it runs horizontal along the length of tracks 20. Horizontal groove 22 is designed to house the T-nuts that are used to affix the hydrofoil to the board. As previously mentioned, the T-nuts are not pictured as the present invention replaces these as the method of affixing the hydrofoil to the board.

FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of the present invention. The present invention is designed to fit into tracks 20 the board and can be locked into horizontal groove 22.

The invention may be made out of metal, fiberglass reinforced plastic, carbon fiber reinforced plastic, or plastic. The invention is comprised of a body which has holes at the top. Holes 25 are for screws 23 to screw into. There may be two or more holes in the top of the body. The hole spacing is to correspond to the two standard hole spacings of 14 cm and 16.5 cm apart. Hole 26 is optional and is to house set screw 24 if needed. Set screw 24 applies pressure to pin 29 to keep it in place. Hole 26 may also be in the bottom side of the body. Pin 29 extends out of both sides of the body equally. Pin 29 is designed to be able to enter tracks 20 through vertical groove 21. Pin 29 can then slide along horizontal groove 22. The corner of the body of the invention around pin 29 is rounded to allow the invention to rotate unobstructed in track 20 around pin 29.

On the other end of the body is the locking mechanism that is used to lock the invention into horizontal groove 22. The locking mechanism is comprised of cylinder 27 and rod 28. Cylinder 27 has a hole through its center which houses rod 28. Rod 28 fits into the side of the body of the invention. The ends rod 28 may be affixed to the invention with screws, adhesive, welding or any other suitable method. There may be only one locking mechanism on the invention or there may be multiple. Cylinder 27 protrudes out the side of the invention. Rod 28 is designed to elastically deform under stress.

The invention can be inserted into tracks 20 by pressing it in with enough force. When force down is applied, the walls of track 20 push on cylinder 27 to deform rod 28. The locking mechanism can then travel towards the bottom of track 20, where the locking mechanism expands into horizontal groove 22. The locking mechanism is then locked into place until it is pulled upward, out of the track, with enough force.

FIG. 6 depicts a side profile view of the invention with the locking mechanism removed. Rod housing 30 holds the ends of rod 28. Housing 31 is sufficiently deep to accommodate cylinder 27 and rod 28 when rod 28 is deformed. In present embodiments, housing 30 goes all the way through the invention.

FIG. 7 depicts the view of how the locking mechanism and pin of the invention fit into the cross-section of the tracks. This figure is the same cross section cut as in FIG. 4. The height of the invention is roughly the same height as the depth of tracks 20. Cylinder 27 sits off to the side of the invention and is housed in horizontal groove 22. In present embodiments, cylinder 27 is slightly bigger than horizontal groove 22 so as to not fit perfectly in horizontal groove 22. As a result, cylinder 27 is pushed inward slightly by the walls of track 20 and static friction is generated. The friction prevents the invention from sliding freely in track 20. Pin 29 is also housed in horizontal groove 22.

FIG. 8 depicts a perspective view of the mast and mounting plate of the hydrofoil with the invention affixed to it. Screws 23 are used to attach the hydrofoil to the invention. Screws 23 come through the bottom of mounting plate 15 and are housed by holes 25 (not pictured) in the body of the invention. The leading edge of mast 14 of the hydrofoil is on the left most side. The device is to be attached to the hydrofoil with cylinder 27 and rod 28 in the front and pin 29 trailing.

FIG. 9 depicts another perspective view of the mast and mounting plate of the hydrofoil with the invention affixed to it. Two of the invention are affixed to the top of mounting plate 15. The device are mounted parallel to each other and in the same orientation. The leading edge of mast 14 is on the left side in the figure.

FIG. 10 depicts a side profile view of the board and the hydrofoil with the invention screwed on to the hydrofoil. The hydrofoil is angled backwards relative to the board. In the figure, pin 29 is housed within horizontal groove 22 in the board. The hydrofoil is allowed to rotate around pin 29. This ability to rotate is also due to the rounded edge on the body of the device. The rounded edge is located at the corner closest to pin 29. Pin 29 is allowed to slide along horizontal groove 22. In order to be fully secured to the board the hydrofoil is rotated forward and the invention snaps into horizontal groove 22. This action is displayed by the large curved arrow. After this action is performed, the hydrofoil is positioned onto the board as previously displayed in FIG. 2.

In order for the user to remove the hydrofoil from the board, torque is applied to the hydrofoil in the opposite direction as was required to attach the hydrofoil. The hydrofoil will fold backwards. With the locking mechanism out of tracks 20, the user may slide the hydrofoil along tracks 20 until pin 29 can exit through vertical groove 21.

In order to change the placement of where the hydrofoil is mounted on the board, and assuming the hydrofoil is already fully attached to the board, the user would apply backwards torque to the hydrofoil by pushing front wing 11 towards the tail of the board. This torque would cause the locking mechanism to snap out of tracks 20. The devices attached to the hydrofoil are kept partially in tracks 20 by pin 29 which is in horizontal groove 22. The user would apply force to move the hydrofoil along tracks 20 in the direction towards the new mounting location. Once the user is satisfied with the new mounting location the hydrofoil can be fully attached to the board, assuming that the devices will still fit in the track at this new mounting location.

In the event of a collision of front wing 11 or tail wing 12 with an obstacle in the water, the hydrofoil may fold backwards towards the tail of the board. With the hydrofoil in this position, the hydrofoil would generate lots of drag to bring the hydrofoil and the board to a quick stop. When the hydrofoil is folded backwards, pin 29 remains housed within horizontal groove 22. This prevents the hydrofoil from becoming separate from the board. In order for the hydrofoil to become rideable again, the user would apply forward torque to the front wing in order to snap the locking mechanism back into horizontal groove 22. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A pair of devices to be attached to the mating surface of the hydrofoil's mounting plate in an orientation where the devices could fit into the parallel tracks in the underside of the board and where the locking mechanisms on the devices are in the front and the retention pins on the devices are in the back relative to the desired direction of travel of the hydrofoil.
 2. The pair of devices of claim 1, wherein the devices allow for the hydrofoil to be mounted to the board, without the use of tools, in any location along the length of the tracks in the board, permitted the devices fit, and for the hydrofoil to be dismounted from the board without the use of tools.
 3. The pair of devices of claim 1, wherein the devices allow for hydrofoil to fold backwards, towards the tail of the board, if the hydrofoil hits an object with enough force. 